During a December 9 hearing that lasted more than three hours, fourteen witnesses, including farmers, contractors, solar developers, economists and major Wisconsin employers, testified in strong support for the local solar legislation (SB-559 and AB 493), highlighting how the legislation would lower energy bills for all Wisconsin residents, strengthen the electric grid and return decision-making power to local communities.
The bill would create a community solar program that allows farmers and developers to build small-scale projects (typically 20 to 30 acres) that neighbors can subscribe to, expanding access to solar energy while avoiding larger developments that sometimes face local resistance. The legislation ensures that no taxpayer money is needed for projects; they are funded with private dollars.
Witnesses emphasized that the proposal restores local control by shifting settlement authority from the Public Service Commission to municipalities and cities, so that decisions are made as close as possible to the people affected. Farmers described how the bill would create a lifeline for many family farms, allowing them to lease small, unproductive plots of land to diversify their income without sacrificing productive acreage. Contractors noted that their highly skilled workers are being forced to leave the state for community solar jobs that they would much rather do here at home.
The hearing showed the breadth of the coalition behind this measure. Supporters include large employers, health care systems, builders, farmers and clean energy advocates – including Walmart, Advocate Aurora Health, Arch Electric, Organic Valley, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Kohler, RENEW Wisconsin, Associated Builders and Contractors and farmers across the state.
The bill’s sponsors, Sen. Pat Testin and Rep. Scott Krug, underscored growing frustration among voters who want alternatives to large solar farms and skyrocketing energy bills.
News item from the Coalition for Community Solar Access
